Escorted Rail Tours to Vancouver
See stunning panoramic views from the Vancouver Lookout
Vancouver is one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in the world. It is among Canada's largest cities, and its port is the largest on North America's west coast - handling a staggering 65 million tonnes every year. The first Europeans settled in the area as the result of a local gold rush in 1858. The gold rush was short lived and many people left again; however, a few people stayed and developed a place they called Gastown.
In 1884, Canadian Pacific Railway president William Van Horne decided that with its natural port, the small town would make a good terminus for his transcontinental line. He felt that 'Vancouver' would be a more appropriate name, so it was officially changed in 1886. Trains began running the following year, and their impact was immense - transforming Vancouver from a small settlement to a powerful industrial and commercial centre. Now, Vancouver is an exciting, thriving city that is consistently ranked as one of the planet's top three most desirable places to live.
